Escambia High Gators: Rutherford Rams: 7 - Escambia High Gators: 46

Pat McCann • Panama City News-Herald • September 4, 2009
PANAMA CITY — Rutherford High head football coach Greg Rivers has been around Bay County longer than humidity, so he knows a thing or two about Escambia High running backs.
What he witnessed Thursday night at Tommy Oliver Stadium, however, wasn't Marheem Smith running through the Rams as an extension of the legacy established by former Gators Emmitt Smith and Trent Richardson.
Rather, it was a portfolio of big plays that led Escambia to a crushing 46-7 season-opening win.
Smith scored the opening touchdown for the Gators, but was lost with a slightly separated shoulder midway through the second quarter. Escambia trailed 7-6 at that point.
Not to worry.
Tim Brown kicked two field goals and quarterback Quay Dirden sneaked over from the 1 for an 18-7 halftime lead. Dirden's TD followed a 34-yard run by Michael Travis.
It as all Class 4A Escambia from that point. Allen Moore's 39-yard punt return set up Travis first 5-yard scoring run of the third quarter, and a 55-yard sprint by Dirden — his second of the game.
Reserve quarterback Joey Cannon found Shamarae Watts for a 40-yard score on his only pass attempt, and Joe Grimsley's second interception of the game and 35-yard return led to a running clock with 7:10 remaining to play.
"Defensively we played super," Escambia coach Jimmy Nichols said. "We made some silly mistakes on offense, but we rebounded."